UKUNDA, Kenya, Feb 25 – Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed Omar was the hero, saving two penalties, including one in sudden death as Kwale Regional League side Denmak FC stunned 10-time champions Gor Mahia FC 5-4 on penalties to eliminate them from the MozzartBet FKF Cup.
The game was forced into penalties after a barren draw in regulation time.
Omar, who had shown his heroism all through the game, saved from skipper Philemon Otieno in the first five, before he saved Enock Wanyama’s kick in sudden death to stun K’Ogalo, who continue struggling in the Cup.
Mwinyi Babuhija had stepped up to score the first for the home side, before Wanyama’s kick was brilliantly saved by the teenage goalkeeper, sending the packed Ukunda Showground pitch into frenzy.
Shouts of ‘Hii ni Denmak weee!’ rented the air as the fully packed stadium broke into song in dance following the heroic performance by their home side.
In the first five, Rama Mwanzia had expertly tucked away his kick to give Denmak a good start, before Sydney Ochieng responded for Gor. Denmak’s Bakari Simba then beautifully sent Caleb Otieno the wrong way to take the home side 2-1 up and keeper Omar, nicknamed ‘Donarumma’ then saved skipper Philemon’s kick to give his side the advantage.
But. Gor second choice keeper Caleb made a save to deny Denmak’s Issa Mraja, with Chris Ochieng stepping up to level matters for Gor.
Mwinyi Chibato and Bakari Mohamed scored the next two for Denmak with Musa Masika and Rodgers Ouma scoring the next two for Gor to tie the scores at 4-4 after the first five, to send the game to sudden death.
In regulation time, Gor had come close, but keeper Donarumma’s heroism meant they were kept at bay. The custodian collected every cross presented infront of his six yard box and threw himself at every loose ball in the area to ensure his side remained in the game.
Just two minutes into the second half, he saw a freekick from Shariff Musa slip from his palms, but threw himself at the ball to block Sidney’s attempt at the rebound twice.
Shariff came close five minutes later when he glanced in a header from a John macharia delivery but the ball flew over.
Denmak also had chances of their own, with Samuel Visendi coming close twice earlier in the first half.
In the 19th minute he picked the ball from 30 yards out after Gor were caught in possession, but his rasping shot went just wide with keeper Caleb beaten.
In the 31st minute, he sneaked behind the defense to face the keeper one on one, but placed his touch too heavy with an attempt to go round.
With the game tied at 0-0 in regulation time, it headed straight to penalties, as per tournament regulation.
